Calcium-entry blocking agents in the treatment of systemic hypertension.

Calcium-entry blocking agents resemble established dilators such as diazoxide, minoxidil and hydralazine in that they act predominantly on the arterial resistance vessels and have little or no effect upon the veins. They have therefore been evaluated in the treatment of hypertension. Controlled studies have shown that verapamil and nifedipine are effective in decreasing blood pressure when given as sole agents. The antihypertensive effect of nifedipine is additive with that of a beta blocker, and nifedipine is also effective when given as a "third step" agent in combination with a beta blocker (or alpha methyldopa) and a diuretic. In contrast to other directly acting dilators, nifedipine causes, at most, only moderate stimulation of renin secretion and verapamil does not increase renin release at all; neither drug induces sodium retention. Both verapamil and nifedipine produce a moderate incidence of unwanted effects; these are mostly subjective in nature, but verapamil may cause constipation that is occasionally severe and nifedipine sometimes causes ankle swelling. Calcium-entry blockers should be considered as initial therapy when some contraindication exists to the use of other standard drugs. Nifedipine appears preferable to hydralazine for use in combination with a beta blocker and a diuretic: it is at least as effective as hydralazine and has a lower incidence of serious adverse effects.